1.  Hat! You know the ones gardeners love and everyone else won’t go near? These gardeners have it right – the hats protect best from the heat and the sun, which ultimately should rank above fashion, though I’m sure some are more fashionable than others. If you just can’t make yourself wear a safari-type hat, at least bring a baseball cap or something similar to cover your head and block the sun from your face.

2.  Waterproof sun screen with high SPF. Regardless of how used to warm climates you are, being out in the open planes in the heat of the day could wreck havoc on your skin, and bad sunburn could ruin your safari or worse. Waterproof is ideal, since you’ll most-likely be sweating in the African heat. If you’re looking for brands that are healthy for your skin and good at protecting from UVB and UVA rays, try brands such as Badger, Soleo Organics and Vivesana.*

3.  Bug spray – Many regions home to the “Big 5” are also home to mosquitos that may carry diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or dengue fever. Keeping the bugs away could be not only more comfortable, but essential! Best to find a bug spray at a sporting goods or outdoors store – it might cost a bit more and smell a bit worse, but it will be worth it. In addition to the sprays, you may want to pick up some bug repellent wipes, which can be easy to pull out for a quick re-apply during the day (which you’ll need to do).

4.   Water bottle – while you can’t bring the water itself on the plane, purchase a good water bottle which you can fill with safe drinking water. Dehydration is a very real problem when spending hours in the sun. Our bodies can’t process the bacteria in water from some destinations, so finding a source of treated water and bringing it with you can help you avoid stomach illness and discomfort.

5.  Light-weight, breathable pants (or shorts) that wash/dry easily. Ideally, if you can stand the heat, a light weight pant is best for safari, as it keeps your legs protected from the sun and bugs, but the lightness of the fabric still allows you to keep as cool as possible. If you can’t find these, go for a longer short with the same qualities. While they might not be the most fashionable, the best option might be the pants that can zip/snap off into shorts, allowing you to adjust easily as the temperatures change throughout the day. When choosing clothing, opt for materials that can be easily washed & dried – safari’s aren’t the most pristine activities and this will come in handy.

6.  Clothes for layering – Despite the heat of the day, many safaris start in the early morning or go into the later evening to view those animals less likely to make an appearance during the daylight hours. Depending on the season, these times of day with less sunlight can be rather cool, especially if you’re doing any river safaris.

7.  Snacks – Safari days can be long, especially if your group is determined to not turn back until they’ve seen everything they’re hoping for. While most safari guides will bring food, everyone’s metabolisms are different and your growling stomach could be keeping away that leopard that everyone’s waiting to see (not really, hopefully, but it could be uncomfortable for you). Check with your guide first to make sure if there are any restrictions on what you can bring, and make sure your snacks won’t spoil in the heat. Foods such as granola bars can sustain you for a while and fit easily in a pocket or small bag.

8.  Binoculars – you always hope you can get close enough to see the animal with your naked eye, but some animals are notorious for camouflaging and staying hidden, so a magnified view might be your only chance to see them. If you have a camera with a good zoom, this could work as well.

9.  A notebook – The great varieties of some species can be tough to keep track of. In Africa, the birds, antelope and apes/monkeys can be especially tricky to recall. Recording a few facts about them – their colors, size, where you saw them, maybe a unique feature about the animal could help you remember each more distinctly and identify them in your photos later.

10.  Backup camera equipment – Think of all the pictures you’ll take trying to get that perfect shot of your favorite animal. Having a backup memory card, battery and even backup camera (even a smaller, cheaper one) could be incredibly helpful. The middle of the safari is not the time to have your battery die, your memory card fill up or you camera destroyed by an unexpected rain storm. Better safe than sorry! Also, if you have the option, choose a camera that allows you to take some video too – capturing a unique animal experience on video is an exciting way to recall your safari after the trip.

11.  Small backpack (all-weather if possible). If you’re going to bring all of the items above, you’ll need to put them somewhere while out on safari. A small backpack is an easy way to carry these while on safari, and still have your hands free for photo and note taking. If you can’t find an all-weather backpack, bring ziplock bags to keep your notebook, camera and snacks in to protect them in the event of rain. This “weather resistant” bag at REI for under $30 is a good example of a relatively inexpensive option: http://www.rei.com/product/778466

*Suggestion provided by Jolene Hart, a natural beauty expert and Beauty & Health Coach and owner of Beauty Is Wellness.

Upon visiting, Winston Churchill called Uganda the “pearl of Africa”, a slogan the country still boasts today. While it’s history has steered visitors clear in the past, this East African country is welcoming tourists with open arms, and upon seeing the country’s beauty and wildlife, tourists are equally as enthusiastic.

Uganda is probably most known for it’s gorilla and chimp tracking. In fact, there are only three countries in the world where you can see mountain gorillas – Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forrest and  Mgahinga Gorilla, Uganda’s smallest national park, are the the two areas in which to view gorillas, while over 1450 chimpanzees reside in Kibale National Park. Access to both of these activities is limited and permits will be needed for gorilla tracking, so planning ahead is a necessity.

What most travelers do not realize is that in addition to gorillas and chimpanzees, Uganda offers a wide array of wildlife, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo. Giraffes, zebras, water bucks, bush bucks, cheetahs and baboons also roam the parks. The country is home to more species of bird than any other country in Africa – over 1,000 species, some endemic to Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National park holds 605 different species alone.

Wildlife isn’t the only reason that Winston Churchill was so taken with Uganda. The country’s ten national parks stretch from the sprawling open plains to the forrest-lined Lake Victoria, from the rushing white water of the Nile River and it’s plunge downward at Murchison falls to the tropical rainforest that the chimpanzees call home.

Those who enjoy being on the water can take a cruise on the Kazinga Channel for some spectacular photographic opportunities – the channel is has one of the largest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the world, and is a particularly rewarding experience for birders. The Victorian Nile, the longest river in the world, also offers an opportunity for animal viewing via launch trips and boat rides. For those seeking slightly more adventurous river activities, the section of the Nile where white water races towards Murchison falls provides one of the best rafting opportunities in Africa.

Part of Uganda’s charm is the fact that it’s still being discovered by tourists, particularly westerners. Each park has a distinct feel, and the this is reflected in the accommodations, tours and activities offered. Accommodations range from tented camps to luxury tents, traditional cottages to exotic tree house suites and rates throughout the country can be quite reasonable. Uganda is best explored with guides for many of the activities, so work with a travel professional to find the best options for you – most trips are private and customized to fit your specific interests and preferences.

Victoria Falls can be seen from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Given the fact that Zimbabwe’s currency has fallen to the point that it’s no longer accepted even in it’s own country, and that the nation has suffered more than its share of political turmoil, most people would opt to see the Falls via Zambia.

My family, however, decided to go to Zimbabwe. Why chance it? First, I feel one has to separate the country’s politics and domestic turmoil with the way they treat foreigners. I’ve been given this respect when traveling to countries that didn’t like American politics and I like to do the same for others. Despite all of the hardship Zimbabwe has undergone, there had not, at least near the time that we were traveling, been an issue with trouble or violence towards visitors. We suspected, and were proven correct, that the locals loved having us there. After all, for a country whose currency is no longer legitimate, having Americans spending their comparatively strong currency must make them ecstatic (it did)!

The tourism infrastructure in the Victoria Falls area is as strong as can be expected given their situation. We easily obtained our visas upon arrival and our private transfers which met us on time at the airport were friendly and helpful. As they drove us to our hotel, they answered our questions about their country and its situation, and even gave us each a 10 billion dollar note, which is of course no longer accepted in Zimbabwe or anywhere else. (The fact that currency deflated so much that even a 10 billion dollar note wasn’t worth anything should tell you a bit about what bad shape they are in financially).

We stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel, a beautiful victorian building situated close enough to the falls that they can be viewed from the grounds in the back. The hotel was upscale and clean, the staff friendly and the service impeccable. As for the falls themselves, they were absolutely spectacular. We went in what is traditionally the rainy season, so the falls were plentiful – they can dry up a good bit in the dry season -  and we got an up close and personal view of the myst which they produce (wear your rain jacket!!).

The next morning we went on an elephant back “safari” through the country’s beautiful landscape, along the way learning about everything that the country has to offer. In the way of activities, we only scratched the surface – its an excellent place for white water rafting, river boarding, bungee jumping, abseiling, microlight flights through the safari park and much more which we didn’t get to try during our unfortunately short stay here. This safari, though, which gave us the opportunity to bond with the elephants, our guides and really the country as a whole, was one of my favorite parts of the two week trip.

I’m sure that the falls are beautiful from the Zambian side, and I hope some day to explore that country as well. For me, though, I would go to Zimbabwe again in a heartbeat. I had to opportunity to experience a people who, despite their desperate situation, welcomed us into their home. In turn, I got to help these people, if even just a tiny bit, by creating a need for their jobs (which are constantly threatened) and bringing in some of our strong currency which will hopefully help to buy them basic food supplies, shoes and other necessities which they are currently going without.

If you do choose to go to Zimbabwe, they are in dire need of donations – old clothes, shoes, etc and readily accept them. We didn’t realize this at the time so were not able to participate, but I highly urge you to bring these items to leave there when you go.

If you’ve seen images of Madagascar on television or in movies, you’ve most likely seen the dense forests with lemurs (of which there are 40 different species there) swinging among the trees, or some similar image. In fact, while this certainly is a major part of the country’s landscape, visitors will also find beaches lined with palm trees, grassy plateaus to volcanos.

Travel to Madagascar is not for everyone. This country is still developing its tourism infrastructure and has not quite caught up to some other African destinations. However, those who don’t mind being a little flexible with their plans and traveling a little “off the map” will be greatly rewarded for journeying to Madagascar and take advantage of all that it has to offer.

• Divers and snorklers should head to Nossi Be (or Nosy Be) archipelago in the northwest to experience the world-renown coral reefs. The white sandy beaches on these islands complement the underwater beauty, making this a popular vacation spot for locals and visitors. This region is also known for its production of lemongrass, vanilla and rum.

• Perinet, also known as Andasibe-Mantadia, is nature preserve home to the indri, a tail-less lemur.

• Ampfey is a volcanic region about 90 kilometers from the country’s capital city and boasts magnificent waterfalls and geysers.

• In Ambohimanga, the birthplace of the Malagasy state, visit the citadel,  whose main gate is an enormous stone disk required 40 men to roll it into position. This city, nicknamed “the blue city”, “the forbidden city” and “the holy city” and is surrounded by forrest.

• In the capital city, Antananarivo (often abbreviated Tana) visit the Royal Palace and the Queen’s Village.

• Tsarantanana is the country’s highest mountain, located in the lush north region of the island. Reaching to 2880 meteres it’s covered with ferns and high altitude rain forests.

• In Antsiranana at the northernmost tip of the island, visitors will find a more modern port and can enjoy the lakes, waterfalls and rainforest that surround it. Here one can also explore Montagne d’Arbre national park – just make sure to obtain permission from the Ministère des Eaux et des Forêts located in town.

Fast Facts:

• A visa is required to enter Madagascar (for US citizens)
• The official languages are Malagasy and French, and English is not widely spoken.
• The country is very laid back, which means timelines and itineraries are not necessarily followed.
• The main airport is in Antananarivo. Flights from the US depart from New York with a connection in Paris or Amsterdam, and flights from London have a connection in Paris.
• Cyclone season runs from January to March so travelers may want to avoid this time of year, especially if visiting the coast.

A bustling harbor front, a downtown steeped in history and Table Mountain as a backdrop, Cape Town seems like a world unto itself. Throw in 761 kilometers of Garden route filled with wine country, coastal scenery, wildlife parks and outdoor activities and you could easily spend several weeks exploring this region.

Spend the first day or two in Cape Town exploring the Harbor and downtown. Though it’s certainly popular with tourists, the harbor area isn’t simply tourist trap. It has some fantastic international restaurants popular with both visitors and locals, pubs, wine shops, a mall and local crafts.  A personal favorite feature are the groups of local teenagers who put on daily entertainment. As expected, they are looking for tips but their acrobatic stunts and a cappella performances are quite worth throwing a few rand (South Africa’s currency) in in their cup.

In contrast to the modern harbor, you can see the city’s history in almost every corner of the downtown. The city’s architecture, influenced by French and Dutch styles in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s take visitors back to a time when Cape Town was a very different city – both in appearance and attitude.

While downtown, visit the Company’s Garden, a beautiful respite which not only houses gardens and ponds, it also encompasses many of the cities important buildings include St. George’s Cathedral, National Library, Great Synagogue and Holocaust Center, Iziko Museum and Planetarium and the Parliament, where President Klerk announced the dismantling the laws behind apartheid.

Parliament

Finally, the Bo-Kapp area is worth a visit. Originally the home of Southeast Asian slaves freed by the Dutch, this neighborhood is famous for it’s uniquely colorful houses and international cuisine.

Bo-Kapp Neighborhood

Of course, no visit to Cape Town would be complete without a trip up Table Mountain. A cable car runs to the top daily (except in bad weather) or those looking for a little more activity can hike one of the several trails to the top.

Though Cape Town is very easy to explore on foot, there are a few tours worth taking:

• A tour including District Six and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandella was imprisoned. District Six was the notorious section of Cape Town where over 60,000 black South Africans were forcibly removed from their homes and sent to live in the very run down suburbs of the city. Today, the District Six Museum illustrates what happened during that time and commemorates those who suffered and even lost their lives. Many of these tours also take you to the region where those ousted from District Six were sent to live. Finally, the tour takes you via ferry to Robben Island, where former political prisoners (wrongfully accused) act as tour guides and tell you the story of the prison and their time there.

Robben Island Prison

• Wine Tours – South Africa is the third largest exporter of wine in the world. Regions close to Cape Town (easily done in a day) include the notable Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia among others. Group or private tours can be arranged and often include bonuses such as cheese tastings or lunch at one of the wineries.

Stellenbosch

For more pictures of the Cape Town area click here.

Madagascar

Location: 250 miles off the eastern coast of Africa across the Mozambique channel

Distinguishing features: Approximately 80 percent of the wildlife found on Madagascar cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The island has over 30 species of lemur, 60 species of chameleon and the endagered fossa.

Travel tips:

• Wildlife viewing is generally best from August – November; January & February can be quite rainy.
• All visitors to Madagascar need visas. Many will be able to obtain this at the airport upon arrival.
• MasterCard is not accepted in Madagascar and few hotels take credit cards at all. It is one of the few places where traveller’s cheques (in USD or Euro) are the way to go. Cash is also accepted, of course.

Maldives

Location:  On the equator in the Indian Ocean to the west of Sri Lanka.

Distinguishing features: While they are islands of sun and sand, what make the Maldives unique is its location and isolation. Made up of 26 atols – 1190 islands, only 200 of which are inhabited – it’s known a top destination for sailing, snorkeling and diving. It’s underwater beauty is tough to compete with.

Travel Tips:

• A 30-day visa is granted upon arrival.
• The southwest monsoon season runs from May to October, while the northeast season runs from November to April. Know where your destination within the Maldives is and plan carefully!
• The Maldives is an Islamic country. When visiting inhabited islands (non-resort island), clothing that covers the thighs and upper body is requested.

Iceland

Location: Near the arctic circle

Distinguishing features: Extreme natural beauty, ability to cross the arctic circle from Northern Iceland, geothermically-heated pools and 24-hour daylight in the summer.

Travel Tips:

• In the summer, Iceland is not quite as cold as it sounds, though it’s not especially warm (highs hit around 60 degrees Farenheit at the peak of summer).
• Reykjavik, the capital city, is known for being a trendy center of shopping, dining and nightlife, though there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. It can be easily seen in a day or two.
• No visa is needed for American passport holders.
• Travel the iceland either by self-drive or a tour. Most of the natural beauty exists outside of the main city.

Victoria Falls was not a stop originally on our itinerary, but upon learning that it was our best option for reaching Chobe, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to add in an overnight and see the falls. I have been to Niagara quite a few times and visited Iguazu several years back, so was interested in seeing how Victoria Falls compared. We also enjoyed the chance to help tourism in Zimbabwe, given the economic trouble which the country is currently undergoing. 

We arrived at the Victoria Falls hotel to find a historic landmark which retains almost all of its original design. From the restaurant veranda, we could see the mist of the falls and the bridge that links Zimbabwe and Zambia (we did not cross, as we would need a visa to enter Zambia). Eager to explore the area as much as possible, we had a booked a tour of the falls for that afternoon and a sunrise elephant back safari – pick up at 6:20 AM actually seemed like sleeping in compared to our 5:30 wake up call in Chobe. 

Before entering the falls, our guide offered us rain coats and umbrellas, in case we didnt want to get a little wet in the mist (keep the word “mist” in mind for later reading).  We declined these, figuring that a little spray would actually feel good in the muggy 85 F weather. Upon entering the park, there was no mistaking the magnificent roar that can only belong to cascading water. The falls themselves delivered every visual image the guide books promise and more.  One of the unexpected surprises was the rainbows (often double rainbows) that stretched brilliantly across the gorges almost constantly.  It’s important to note that we came at just the right time of year. During the winter, or dry season, only the main falls are visible and visitors could be disappointed. 

As we walked closer to the main falls, the guide encouraged us to put away our cameras, as we might start to get a bit more mist. I can honestly say, that if there was an award for understatement of the year, this was it. Without warning, the wind would blow heartily and the falls would pour across the gorge and onto innocent bystanders. By about half way through, we had not only abandoned the notion of taking pictures, but had also the idea of trying to keep any part of us, our clothing or our gear even remotely dry.  We laughed our way through the experience – both at the level of water we were attracting and how completely unprepared we were for this. Despite the fact that both of my cameras suffered a casualty and that my some of our clothes were still not dry by the end of the trip five days later, I would not have missed it for anything. 

The next morning, we were off to a hopefully less saturating elephant-back safari. After time to meet and pet the elephants we hopped on in pairs, other than my mom, who got to ride young Rastas solo.  My boyfriend and I hopped atop Jock (who I thought was named Jacque until I saw it written) with our “driver” Josh.  We meandered through the beautiful landscape, with Jock stopping at every single opportunity for a snack.  While I had been on elephants at the zoo or in small elephant parks, this was completely different. We were wandering through the brush where the elephants roam during their free time and were getting the chance to really be out in the open with these animals.   

Upon returning from our elephants, we freshened up (luckily for our fellow passengers on the flight to Jo’berg/Capetown) and headed off to the Victoria Falls airport – an adventure in and of itself! The rustic part of our trip was coming to an end and we were headed off to more metropolitan grounds. 

Near the boarder, you drive along the Zambezi River and can see Zambia on the other side, which I thought was quite cool. At the border of Zimbabwe and Botswana, we had to fill out a form to leave one and get our passport stamped. The boarder patrol area looked like a small shack and is a protected military zone. We then had to switch to an air jeep like vehicle to go into Botswana, as it would have cost our tour guides 9,000 pula to cross the border ( the pula is Botswana’s currency which right now runs 6.7 pula to the US dollar).  In crossing the border to Botswana, we had to get out of the car and stop on a cloth drenched with some sort of solution to rid our shoes of any possibility of hoof and mouth disease. 

As we approached the Chobe Game Lodge, our trip turned a bit more off-road and any concern that we would not see enough wildlife was quickly dissipated. Before even reaching the lodge, we saw herds of impala, groups of warthogs, several giraffes and an elephant.  Upon arrival at the lodge, we spotted a warthog grazing on the grass outside of our rooms, who we have now come to fondly refer to as Fred. The lodge is ideal in its location, rooms, decor and service. The perfect combination of modern yet not out of place, the lodge is mostly open air and each room has an almost entirely glass front that opens to the outside and overlooks the Chobe River.  We enjoyed afternoon tea and cookies while the guest relations manager, Maggie, explained our itinerary for the stay. Each day was scheduled as follows:

5:30 AM wake up call (made by Maggie herself)

6 AM coffee and muffins

6:30 – 8:30 game drive

breakfast followed by free time

10:30 – 12:30  boat tour on the river

lunch followed by free time

3:30 – 6 game drive (including snacks and drinks around sunset)

Dinner

The schedule was flexible as we had our own private guide an of course nothing was mandatory. We opted to do a sunset boat tour the first night which was the perfect way to start our stay. While here, we have seen an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty that really cannot be captured in words or even pictures. The animals that we have seen up close, enjoying their natural habitat, include:  giraffes, elephants, hippos, buffalo, lionesses, baboons, monkeys, warthogs, jackal, impala, kudu, puku, hyena, bush buck, water buck, meerkats, crocodiles, numerous bird species, lizards and I’m sure a few small creatures that I have forgotten to name. For me, the animal highlight took place during our evening game drive the first full day here.  As we rode on a path alongside the river, we saw a very large male elephant strolling towards us. As we moved forward, he continued to walk towards us until we stopped and he strolled right past our jeep, only a couple of feet away. We literally could have extended our arms out and touched him (we didn’t, as we know to give him the right of way)! It was one of those moments that you think is only experienced by people who end up pictured in National Geographic. 

As I am sitting here writing, it is our last night at Chobe. Tomorrow, we head back to Victoria Falls for an afternoon tour of the falls, and overnight at the Victoria Falls hotel and a sunrise elephant back safari the following morning before heading back to South Africa to continue our travels there. Stay tuned…. you won’t want to miss this!

If I had to describe Sun City in one quick phrase it would be “Las Vegas meets Disney World, with an African slant”. It’s not that the resorts are not nice and that there is not stuff to do, it’s just not what I (or anyone in my group) looks for when traveling to Africa. Sun City is a resort area basically plopped down in the middle of a rural region which includes 4 hotels/resorts, a vacation club, and and entertainment complex as it’s main attractions. We stayed in the most exclusive resort there, the Palace of the Lost City. While certainly a bit over-the-top, it was a nice place to stay in that the rooms were large, the property was very nice though boarding on a bit gaudy and the service was absolutely fantastic. The Palace included a beautiful restaurant, a lounge, several shops, two pools, very large grounds with walking trails, several pools a man made beach-looking wave pool area and a water slide among the trees (no we sadly did not get to try this given our shortened stay after the cancelled flight). Unfortunately, Sun City did not exactly live up to its name, as it was overcast most of time and down poured on afternoon.

Although this would not have been my choice for my entrance into Africa, there were some very nice things about it. First of all, I was there for a conference and I really got some great education, particularly on the seminars I attended about the countries of Botswana and Namibia, as well as the session on the wine region of South Africa. The first full night there, ASTA held an evening at the game park followed by a Boma dinner (boma is, more or less, an African BBQ) which my mom, dad and sister attended. My boyfriend and I decided to stay back and just explore the area, enjoy a nice dinner and catch up on some relaxation. Much of this decision was based on the fact that our next stop (where I’m currently writing this) was the Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana where we looked forward to seeing a lot of wildlife completely in it’s natural habitat.  Instead, we wandered out to the small lake and some riding stables, and explored the other hotels. We found a wonderful Indian restaurant in the Sun City Hotel (actual name, not just a generic word for the hotel in Sun City) and relaxed for our first dinner in about three nights that didn’t involve food from an airport, airplane or late night room service menu. 

As is tradition at each IDE, the event comes to a close with a dinner brought to us by the host of next year’s conference.  The IDE 2010 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, and the tourism board put on quite a show for us. While we did not have Turkish food (I’m guessing due to the unavailability of ingredients here) the presentation included a spectacular slide show of images from the country and an apparently very popular band from Turkey entertained us with covers of American songs from roughly the period of 1975 – 1993. While traditionally Turkish (or at least I’d assume, but perhaps that’s what they listen to there), it got everyone singing and dancing along and ended the event on a high note. 

The next morning we got a transfer back to the Jo’berg airport with a wonderfully knowledgeable tour guide who was just as interesting as any session I attended at the conference. We enjoyed seeing and learning about the landscape and the country’s history and culture before hopping our flight to Victoria Falls. And then, the real fun began! 

After what seemed entirely way longer than a 6.5 hour flight, we arrived for our refueling stop in Senegal (you need a visa to enter, so we had to stay on the plane and therefore unfortunately cannot really claim we’ve been to Senegal) and then on for another 8 hours to Johannesburg. As my sister put it, “the flight wasn’t long enough, so thank goodness we now had a 2.5 hour transfer to Sun City!” It was dark and we were tired, but the feel of the warm, fresh air as we emerged from the airport felt fantastic! It had a night at the not quite as fantastic Comfort Inn, a few locally brewed beers and unexpected stay in Manhattan, a 14.5 hour flight complete with a stop in Senegal and a 2.5 hour van ride upon landing, but we were in Africa!